Latin Oratory Selections

Latin Oratory: First Year

Cicero defends Sextus Roscius, a man charged with parricide, murder of his father. Here, Cicero describes the worst possible punishment that could be dealt to any man: being sewn into a sack.

Etenim quid tam est commune quam spiritus vivis, terra mortuis, mare fluctuantibus, litus eiectis? Ita vivunt, dum possunt, ut ducere animan de caelo non queant, ita moriuntur, ut eorum ossa terra non tangat, ita iactantur fluctibus, ut numquam abluantur, ita postremo eiciuntur, ut ne ad saxa quidem mortui conquiescant. Tanti maleficii crimen, cui maleficio tam insigne supplicium est constitutum;

For what is so common as breath to the living, earth to the dead, the sea to those tossed by the waves, the shore to those cast up by the sea? They live, while life lasts, without being able to draw breath from heaven; they die without earth coming in contact with their bones; they are tossed by the waves without ever being cleansed by washing; lastly, they are cast ashore without being able, after death, to find rest even on the rocks. It is of so great a crime that you accuse Roscius, as crime for which so remarkable a punishment has been imposed.

Cicero, Pro Sexto Roscio Amerino XXVI, 72
Passage and Translation from John Henry Freese's Cicero In 28 Volumes: VI

Latin Oratory: Second Year

In the midst of the Catilinarian conspiracy, Cicero speaks to the people to soothe their fear and ensure that they will defend the Republic against their enemies, who are destined to fail.

Primum omnium me ipsum vigilare, adesse, providere rei publicae; deinde magnos animos esse in bonis viris, magnam concordiam, maximam multitudinem, magnas praeterea militum copias; deos denique immortalis huic invicto populo, clarissimo imperio, pulcerrimae urbi contra tantam vim sceleris praesentis auxilium esse laturos. Quod si iam sint id quod summo furore cupiunt adepti, num illi in cinere urbis et in sanguine civium, quae mente conscelerata ac nefaria concupiverunt, consules se aut dictatores aut etiam reges sperant futuros? Non vident id se cupere quod, si adepti sint, fugitivo alicui aut gladiatori concedi sit necesse?

First of all, I personally am on the alert, I am right at hand, I am guarding the Republic; in the second place, the body of loyal citizens has rare courage, complete harmony, and strength in their large numbers, and there is too strong a force of soldiers; and finally, the immortal gods will bring help in person to this unconquered people, this most renowned of empires and fairest cities. Let us suppose, however, that they were to attain the goal to which their utter madness directs them, do they then hope- for this is the heart's desire of these wicked criminals- to be consuls, dictators, or even kings amid the ashes of their city and in the blood of their fellow-countrymen? Do they not see that, if they get what they want, they will be bound to lose it to some runaway slave or gladiator?

Cicero, In L. Catilina: Oratio Secunda, 19.
Passage and Translation from C. Macdonald's Cicero In 28 Volumes: X

Latin Oratory: Advanced

Cicero uses Catiline as an example of how the actions of men are derived from their unchangeable character.

Omnibus in rebus, iudices, quae graviores maioresque sunt, quid quisque voluerit, cogitarit, admiserit, non ex crimine, sed ex moribus eius qui arguitur est ponderandum. Neque enim potest quisquam nostrum subito fingi neque cuiusquam repente vita mutari aut natura converti. Circumspicite paulisper mentibus vestris, ut alia mittamus, hosce ipsos homines qui huic adfines sceleri fuerunt. Catilina contra rem publicam coniuravit. Cuius aures umquam haec respuerunt, conatum esse audacter hominem a pueritia non solum intemperantia et scelere sed etiam consuetudine et studio in omni flagitio, stupro, caede versatum? Quis eum contra patriam pugnantem perisse miratur quem semper omnes ad civile latrocinium natum putaverunt?...tantum a vobis peto ut taciti de omnibus quos coniurasse cognitum est cogitetis; intellegetis unum quemque eorum prius ab sua vita quam vestra suspicione esse damnatum.

In any matter more serious or important than usual, gentlemen, a man's intentions, plans, and acts must be judged by his character, not by the charges against him. No one of us can be molded in an instant nor can his way of life be suddenly changed or his nature altered. Ponder for a moment in your minds only these men- let us ignore other considerations- who were personally implicated in this crime. Catiline conspired against the State. What man's ears self-indulgence and criminality allied with his habits and inclination had involved him from childhood in every sort of scandal, debauchery and murder? Who is surprised that he fell fighting against his country, a man who was always generally believed to have been born for banditry against his fellow citizens?...I only ask you to recollect in silence all those know to have been in the conspiracy. You will find that every single one of them stood condemned by his own life before your suspicion pronounced its verdict.

Cicero, Pro Sullas, 69-71
Passage and Translation from C. Macdonald's Cicero in 28 Volumes: X